A DSM-IV-Referenced, Adolescent Self-Report Rating Scale

Objective: To examine the reliability and validity of the Youth's Inventory-4 (YI-4), a DSM-IV-referenced self-report rating scale. Method: Youths (N=239) aged between 11 and 18 years who were clinically evaluated between 1996 and 1999 completed the YI-4, and 79% completed at least one additional self-report. Parents and teachers completed a companion measure. A second sample (N=47) was retested 2 weeks after an initial evaluation. Results: The YI-4 demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (α values = .66-.87) and test-retest reliability (r values = 0.54-0.92), convergent and to lesser extent divergent validity with other self-report measures, and discriminant validity by differentiating children with and without diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, substance use, generalized anxiety disorder, or major depressive disorder. Youth-parent (r values = 0.05-0.50) and youth-teacher (r values < 0.18) agreement was generally modest. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary support for the clinical utility of the YI-4 for symptom assessment in referred youths.